Our Verdict

Selecting a suitable pocket knife can be a daunting task. It is a huge category, with a dizzying array of options. In narrowing down the field, we found sub-categories. A particular portion of the population is looking for a tactical knife like the SOG Trident Elite Assisted Opening. This tool is purpose-built for burly use, in automotive and urban environments. The basic selection of additional features, specifically a glass breaker and slotted cord and webbing cutter, is curated to lend confidence and assistance to the user in an escape and evasion situation. Now, most users will never have to bash their way out of a locked automobile, so it is the blade that they will use the most. On the SOG, the blade is made of excellent steel and tuned for heavy use.

Compare to Similar Products

Our Analysis and Test Results

In the realm of "tactical knives," the SOG is without parallel. It is affordable, robust, equipped with an excellent blade, and lightweight for "everyday carry."

Performance Comparison

The large form-factor of the SOG Trident is appreciated in heavy use and quick deployment.

Blade and Edge Integrity

SOG uses "AUS-8" steel in the Trident Elite knife blade. AUS-8 is made in Japan and is highly regarded. Considered one of the better knife blade steels on the market, this stainless alloy is known to hold an edge under the burliest of applications while responding readily to standard sharpening techniques.

There are inherent trade-offs to balance in selecting knife blade steel. For instance, harder steels hold an edge better but chip more readily and are more difficult to sharpen. Alloys can be blended and tuned, not to mention the employment of post-alloying hardening processes, to mitigate these trade-offs. AUS-8 is widely regarded to offer one of the best balances of durability, edge integrity, and ease of maintenance. In the Trident Elite, SOG stamps and polishes this steel into a beefy, thick blade capable of the burliest tasks with an edge that is still decent enough to easily and cleanly cut a ripe tomato.

Ergonomics

As a "tactical" tool built for heavy use and including a couple of extra tools, we do not expect the knife to be quite as ergonomic as something like the Editors Choice Benchmade MIni Barrage 585.

Sure enough, the corners are a little more square, and the locks and mechanisms are just a touch less smooth, as compared to the Benchmade. The handle is slightly more squared off, and the locking mechanisms are less refined. For instance, the Mini Barrage can be unlocked from either side of the handle, while the Trident only has an unlock tab on one side. In favor of the SOG is the blade-closed lock on the Trident. A simple metal tab on the side of the handle, the SOG blade-closed lock is easier to manipulate than the small plastic slider along the back of the Benchmade's handle. The sturdy blades and rugged marketing materials associated with these tactical knives encourage heavy usage. It is nice that the rounded plastic handle of the SOG is forgiving on the user's hands during such intense application.

The small set of concentric circles near the pictured thumb is the lock mechanism of the Trident. We only wish it was accessible from both sides, like on the Benchmade knives we tested.

Construction Quality

We had no problem with the SOG's durability or construction quality. SOG is reputed to make excellent portable tools, and their Trident knife is no exception. Elsewhere we have tested SOG products and found them to be similarly functional and durable.

The Kershaw Blur is a sort of tactical knife (lacking the v-cutter that the Trident Elite has) that is even more robustly built than the Trident Elite. The Kershaw has an entirely aluminum handle, textured for easy grip.

Portability

In evaluating portability of pocket knives, we look at three major criteria. We measure their external, closed dimensions, we weigh them, and we look at their options for carriage. Size is the portability criteria in which there is the most direct compromise made.

Larger knives are more easily used, while smaller ones are easier to carry. There seems to be a sweet spot concerning closed dimensions. A handle of 4.5-5 inches fits securely in an adult hand for usage while also disappearing into that same adult's pants pocket. None of our tools are bigger than 5 inches. The SOG is on the large end, 4.8 inches, while the close competitor Spyderco is just a touch shorter. The size of the SOG is optimized for function with a nod toward portability. Next, concerning weight, the SOG is relatively light.

It compares favorably with the much smaller Benchmade Mini Barrage and is far lighter than its closest sub-category competitor. The lightweight construction of the SOG is the biggest attribute that tips the balance from the Spyderco Tenacious. The Spyderco weighs 150% of what the SOG weighs. This is a significant difference and is easily noticed in one's pants. With no compromise in construction quality, the lighter weight of the SOG is a no-brainer for everyday carry. Finally, the SOG comes with a near-standard pocket clip. The pocket clip is unobtrusive and short. It holds the knife securely and ready in a front pants pocket.

The pocket clip of the Trident is smaller than that on all the other knives we tested. In contrast to the stealthy Neokut, SOG puts its logo on the Trident in many places.

Other Features

Like on other tactical knives, the extra features of the SOG are targeted at various sorts of escape and evasion needs.

The hardened steel "glass breaker" protrusion is efficient and low profile, while the slot cutter is unique. On most such knives, the slotted cord and webbing cutter has a dedicated blade. Many tactical knives are built exactly this way. The slot cutter on the SOG is a simple groove integrated into the handle that exposes a short section of the main blade. Both work just fine, in our experience. Interestingly, this means that the slot cutter blade on these respective devices is oriented 90 degrees from one another. Despite this significant seeming difference, both slot cutters work just fine. The one advantage of the SOG style, in which the main blade serves "double duty," is that the slot cutting blade can be resharpened readily. On other tactical knives, this is not an option.

The innovative "v-cutter" of the SOG Trident, showing the shiny edge of the primary blade.

Best Applications

For anyone looking for a tactical style knife, the Trident Elite is an excellent choice. It is well-made, with a clever inclusion of the features important on a knife in this category. It is on the verge of "ultra-lightweight" status, with no apparent compromises in function or durability.

Value

The SOG Trident Elite is a well-made, functional tool at an excellent price. The blade is made of some of the best steel in the business, and the mechanisms are all tight and sound. It is half the price of our "Best Buy" winning Kershaw Leek but twice the cost of the other Best Buy Opinel No. 8. We gave the SOG a Top Pick award instead of Best Buy because it is a more specialized piece of equipment for burly applications, while the Leek will appeal more broadly to the general population. Both are high quality and excellent value.

The assisted opening feature of the SOG Trident, and many other knives we tested, has its roots in self defense, but has value to the every day user as well.

Conclusion

If you spend a great deal of time in vehicles and urban environments under potential duress, a tactical knife like this in your pocket is an excellent confidence boost. In our experience, both in this review and market screening for product selection, there isn't a better tactical knife for the masses than the Trident Elite.